Levee

v. build a dike, create an embankment along a river to prevent flooding; create a raised edge around an irrigated field (Agriculture)

n. embankment built along a river to prevent flooding; raised edge around an irrigated field; pier; formal reception (such as held by royalty)

This article is about a type of dam. See also Levee (event). A levee, levée (from the feminine past participle of the French verb lever, "to raise"), floodbank or stopbank is a natural or artificial slope or wall, usually earthen and often parallels the course of a river. Linguists agree that the term "levee" came into English use in New Orleans circa 1672. It is known in Europe as a dike.
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Lever ("rising"), adopted in English as levée— initially the simple act of getting up in the morning— was raised to a ceremonial custom at the court of Louis XIV. In the court etiquette that Louis formalized, the set of extremely elaborated conventions was divided into the grand lever, attended by the full court in the gallery outside the king's bedchamber, and the petit lever that transpired in degrees in the king's chamber, where only a very select group might serve the king as he rose and dressed.
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Noun
1. a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea
(synonym) dam, dike, dyke
(hypernym) barrier
(hyponym) Aswan High Dam, Aswan Dam, High Dam

n. collection; raising, lifting, rising; rise, heave; levy

v. lift, put up, raise, hold up; take up, prove

adj. upbeat, optimistic, cheerful

(v. t.)
To keep within a channel by means of levees; as, to levee a river.
  

(v. t.)
To attend the levee or levees of.
  

(n.)
The act of rising.
  

(n.)
An embankment to prevent inundation; as, the levees along the Mississippi; sometimes, the steep bank of a river.
  

(n.)
A morning assembly or reception of visitors, -- in distinction from a soiree, or evening assembly; a matinee; hence, also, any general or somewhat miscellaneous gathering of guests, whether in the daytime or evening; as, the president's levee.